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Ignoring him, Bart shoved his hands behind his back and secured them with a set of metal handcuffs. Randall Cook, the AAG center’s handyman, asked if he could help. He and Bart were good friends, and they both worshipped Micheline and Leigh.
“We’ll take care of him now,” Bart said, dipping his chin at Fiona. “Are you sure he didn’t hurt you?”
“Yes.” She smiled sweetly, relieved none of them—with the possible exception of Jake—had seen her fight Underhill. Even then, she had no idea how much Jake might have seen. “You got here just in time.”
* * *
She fought like a professional, with deadly, precise skill.
Watching silently as the security guard took the man away, Jake debated what exactly he’d say to Fiona. Who clearly wasn’t at all what she seemed. They’d started to have a discussion about this yesterday, but he’d gotten nowhere. Damned if he’d let her snow him again.
“Whew,” she said with a sigh, smiling up at him. “I’m sure glad Bart and the others got here in time.”
“Are you?” Keeping his voice level, Jake eyed her. “You didn’t appear to need any help. In fact, you looked like a pro to me.”
She grinned, as if she didn’t notice the tinge of betrayal in his tone. “Thanks,” she replied. “Still, I’m glad help arrived before things got out of hand.”
He shook his head, keeping his voice low and steady. “Either you level with me, or I’m out.”
Clearly stunned, she eyed him. “I... I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Cut the crap,” he said. “You aren’t who you pretend to be. Who are you and what are you doing in AAG?”
“I’m Fiona Smith,” she replied. “And I’ve already told you my story.”
Teeth clenched, he glared at her.
She glared right back.
Stalemate. Fine. “I’m done.” Turning, he started to walk away.
“Wait.” She caught at his arm. “I can’t tell you.”
“Can’t? Or won’t? I don’t have time for this, Fiona. You know what? I’ve been worried because the last thing I wanted to do was be attracted to a woman who is in a cult, for Christ’s sake. Not just any cult, but my mother’s.”
“Ouch.” Wincing, she gazed deep into his eyes. “Are you really that attracted to me? We’ve known each other one day.”
Ever honest, he gave her the truth. “I was. But not now. The one thing I refuse to deal with is a liar. Having Micheline for a mother drove that point home.”
She winced again. “Please. I just need a little more time.”
“For what?”
“To decide if I can trust you.” Though her voice came out small, the fierceness of her expression had him wondering.
“Trust me?” Stunned, he looked away. “This coming from someone who puts their faith in a con woman. I don’t understand, Fiona. Please, explain.”
Something that looked an awful lot like desperation flashed across her expressive, beautiful face. “We all have our reasons for doing what we do. What’s yours?”
Again, no explanation. Since he didn’t appear to be getting anywhere by being direct, he decided to bite. “I don’t know what you mean,” he said. “My reason for what?”
“Right.” She snorted. “I want to know why you’re going along with pretending Micheline is actually your mother.”
“Unfortunately, she is my mother,” he said slowly, wondering if she’d completely lost her mind.
Something in her stunned expression told him the truth.
“She isn’t?” He shook his head, as if by doing so he could clear it. “Micheline isn’t my mother. Damn, what did that awful woman do now?”
